Blood donors needed during summer months

With summer 2006 upon us and the likelihood of a blood shortage in New Jersey, it can be a frustrating time for patients needing blood transfusions.

A few summers ago when New Jersey resident Hank Klehm was 14 years old and battling leukemia, the last thing he and his mom needed was to be stuck for hours in a hospital, waiting for units of blood to arrive for his transfusion. Unfortunately, during summer months there is every chance that such a shortage of blood could consume available hospital supplies and blood-bank inventories. As a result, doctors and patients like Hank could be spending precious time waiting for special deliveries of urgently needed blood products.

In a proactive effort, New Jersey Blood Services is launching a campaign to remind blood donors to make appointments to donate blood during the upcoming summer months. By sounding the alarm to rally blood donors during the summertime, we look to remind donors of the continuing need our state hospitals have to maintain an adequate blood supply during this critical period.

We encourage all eligible residents to donate blood during these summer months so surgery patients, accident victims and children like Hank who are fighting cancer can get needed transfusions in a timely manner.

Hank is doing well today, thanks to more than 100 blood transfusions, and he recently noted, "I now have many more blood relatives. Their gift will last a lifetime."

If you want to donate blood, please call (800) 933-2566 or log on to www.nybloodcenter.org. Be a lifesaver - donate blood this summer.

John Armitage, M.D.

executive director

New Jersey Blood Services

New Brunswick